Global Payments Identifies Unauthorized Access Into Portion Of Processing System

3/30/2012 4:10 PM ET

Global Payments Inc. (GPN) announced Friday that it identified and self-reported unauthorized access into a portion of its processing system. Global Payments stated that in early March 2012, it determined card data may have been accessed. The company said that it immediately engaged external experts in information technology forensics and contacted federal law enforcement.

The company noted that it promptly notified appropriate industry parties to allow them to minimize potential cardholder impact. The company said it is continuing its investigation into this matter.

"It is reassuring that our security processes detected an intrusion. It is crucial to understand that this incident does not involve our merchants or their relationships with their customers," said Chairman and CEO Paul Garcia.